Charge Nurse

Charge Nurse

Requirements

• CA RN license
• BLS
• Kaweah Health approved crisis intervention training within 60 days of hire/transfer

Responsibilities

• Is a primary clinical resource for staff on assigned unit.
• Is a role model and mentor for staff.
• Represents the leadership of the unit in the absence of the Assistant Nurse Manager, Nurse Manager, or Director.
• Provides leadership and support for staff through effective problem solving and decision making.
• Is a resource for staff in clinical assessment and decisions.
• Provides leadership and clinical, professional support.
• Advocacy for patients and line staff.
• Provides opportunity for participation in shared decision making.
• Supports nurse preceptors and new employees during orientation.
• Assures float staff receive orientation to the floor and feel welcome.
• Provides input on employee evaluations.
• Prepares and adjusts staff assignments based on the abilities of staff and needs of the patient population.
• Prioritizes care based on the needs and acuity of patients on the unit.
• Assigns admissions and arranges transfers in coordination with House Supervisor, Bed Coordinator, or Manager as appropriate.
• Assures that shift report starts on time utilizing beside handoff process.
• Monitors breaks to provide adequate staffing.
• Determines staffing needs for the next shift and communicates those needs to the Staff Facilitator or Nursing Supervisor.
• Assigns staff to ensure equipment checks are completed: PCX controls, crash cart, refrigerator temps, red books and narcotic counts.
• Sets clear expectations and communicates those expectations with the team during the shift in accordance with unit goals.
• Has authority to make decisions that are aligned with team goals for the shift.
• Practices collaboration within and across units to ensure patient and fiscal outcomes in line with unit goals including appropriate flexing of staff according to patient census.
• Ensures collaboration between staff, physicians, other providers, and departments involved in the care of patients on their unit.
• Keeps lines of communication open.
• Facilitates nurse/physician collaboration by modeling professional communication (e.g SBAR and rounding).
• Provides support, oversight, and coaches team members related to work environment, patient care and physician relations.
• Coordinates care in high-risk/emergent situations and keeps Nurse Manager/Director/Nursing Supervisor aware of critical patients and any unit issues.
• Ensures patient care issues are documented and reported.
• Assures the appropriate nurse completes a Statement of Concern.
• Promotes positive and professional environment for internal and external customers.
• Actively supports the leadership of the Kaweah Health through professional behavior.
• Understands and utilizes Medical Staff and Kaweah Health’s chain of command.
• Provides employee guidance and alerts the Nurse Manager of counseling needs.
• Provides patient care as needed/requested.
• Meets the requirements and performs the duties of a Registered Nurse (job code 7020339).
• Makes fiscally responsible decisions regarding staffing and use of patient supplies.
• Maintains an awareness of regulatory compliance.
• Performs audits and reports as assigned.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care and services appropriate to the population served on the assigned unit or work area.
• Knowledgeable of growth and development for all patient/family cultural, linguistic, spiritual, gender, and age specific needs.
• Able to effectively communicate and care for patient and family as reflected in the Plan for Provision of Care.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Nationally recognized certification per specialty Core Curriculum Pathway.
• BSN, MSN, or currently enrolled in RN-BSN program.
• Minimum of two years RN experience in specialty area.